Tax revenues are up

MT. VERNON - Tax revenues are up in the city, with numbers showing the local economy is better than the state economy.

"The economy of Mt. Vernon is still doing well," City Manager Ron Neibert reported Monday during a third quarter budget review workshop of the city council. "We really didn't see anything out of the ordinary in the makeup of the revenues. We're not relying on any one sector for our tax revenues, and overall, our economy is well balanced in terms of retail."

The 1 percent sales tax is showing a 6.1 percent year-to-date increase over the same time period last year and the 1 percent home rule tax is showing a 3.3 percent increase over last year. However, the income tax, which is a per capita tax based on population and state receipts, is showing a decrease of 3.2 percent.

"It's at 6.8 percent below what we anticipated on the budget," Neibert said. "That's due to two factors. One is that we over-projected and the other is the 6 percent reduction in population that went into effect when the new numbers from the Census came out."

One month in particular for 1 percent sales tax receipts caught everyone's attention, with Mayor Mary Jane Chesley calling the increase "amazing." In November, 1 percent sales tax receipts went up by 24.1 percent over last year, with $482,427 collected. The 1 percent sales tax receipts through the third quarter of the fiscal year for the city is at $3.58 million. - http://goo.gl/L9HyM

Shell to Close Operations in Illinois and Missouri

ROXANA, Ill. (AP) - Shell Oil Co. plans to close its oil blending and packaging plant in Roxana, where Shell began operations in 1918. A company spokeswoman says the Wood River Blending Plant is closing because it needs major upgrades and because it is on property Shell doesn't own. The closure of the Shell Lubricants site will result in the loss of more than 80 jobs in Roxana, just east of St. Louis. The company says it will also close its regional distribution center in O'Fallon, Mo., which employs more than a dozen people. Shell says the distribution center will close at the end of the year, while the Roxana plant will close at the end of 2013. A Shell spokeswoman says employees will have the chance to apply for jobs at other locations.   full story

Union Will Push Tax on Wall Street at Chicago G-8

CHICAGO (AP) - The nation's largest nurses union will call for a tax on Wall Street institutions at a march and rally in Chicago the day before the city hosts the G-8 and NATO summits. Chuck Idelson of National Nurses United says thousands of nurses and activists will take part in the demonstration May 18th. He says they'll call on world leaders to adopt a so-called "Robin Hood" tax on major trading by banks and other financial institutions. The goal would be to raise money for revitalizing the economies of the United States and other G-8 nations. The rally will feature musician Tom Morello, who performs solo as the Nightwatchman and was a member of Rage Against the Machine. The G-8 and NATO summits will be in Chicago May 19th to 21st.  full story

Illinois Voters Can Officially Head To The Polls

Illinois voters can officially head to the polls. Monday marks the start of early voting for Illinois' primary election, and it's available until March 15. Voters do not need a reason to vote early in the Democratic and Republican primaries.

The primary election in Illinois is March 20. The voting includes nominating contests for the Illinois House and Senate, county offices, congressional races and several referendum questions. Sandoval School District voters are being asked to approve a bond issue to pay for 25% of the cost of building a new grade school.

All Marion County county-wide offices are uncontested in the primary. There is a race to represent the Republican Party on the ballot in County Board District Two. Those seeking the positions are incumbents Michael Ice of Salem and Erwin Hahn of Iuka, as well as Creighton Engel and William Holzhauser, Junior of Salem. Voting officials expect the close Republican presidential primary and new candidates vying for redrawn federal, state and county seats to drive early voter participation. Registered voters must show a current driver's license or a valid photo ID to participate.

Early voters cannot change their votes after final submission. Early voting locations are available statewide. In Marion County, early voting is taking place in the county clerk's office on the second floor of the courthouse. The county clerks office is also the voting location in all other area counties. - http://goo.gl/jvRad

No Structural Damage Reported in Several Out of Control Grass and Woods Fires on Sunday

Several fire departments fought grass, brush, and woods fires on Sunday. Odin Firemen fought a fire in woods at the Ruth Uhls property at 3310 Odin Road. The fire spread from weeds and grass that were being burned off around a pond. Odin Fire Chief Greg Smith reports they provided mutual aide assistance to the Centralia Fire Protection District on a grass and woods fire at 2783 Barker Road in rural Centralia.

Centralia District Firemen also fought a pasture fire at a home off of Benning Road in Clinton County. It spread out of control from a grass fire and took over an hour and a half to bring under control. Salem Firemen were called to a very small brush fire at 132 South Vincent Street. The extremely warm temperatures and humidity along with a brisk wind resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a Red Flag Warning for South Central Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The warning advised against burning because of the likelihood of fires getting out of control. - http://goo.gl/AKsTI

Quinn Targets Health Insurance Benefits Of Retired Teachers And Community College Professors

CHICAGO - Gov. Pat Quinn wants to eliminate the state's contributions toward health insurance benefits for retired school teachers and community college professors across Illinois. Those cuts are part of the budget proposal he unveiled last week. The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday that they target two insurance programs and would save the state about $92 million.

About 77,000 retired teachers and their dependents outside Chicago are covered under the Teachers Retirement Insurance Program and the Community College Insurance Program. If Quinn's plan is approved, retirees could be forced to pay higher premiums. The extra costs could also be shifted to school districts, which could mean higher property taxes. A spokeswoman for Quinn, Kelly Kraft, says the change is necessary because of what she called "fiscal challenges created over decades of mismanagement."   full story

Soil Temperatures Up in Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Soil temperatures across Illinois are several degrees higher than last year at this time thanks to the mild weather. Jennie Atkins with the Illinois State Water Survey says the temps are higher based on numbers collected at weather stations across the state.

Soil temperatures are measured at depths of 4 inches under bare earth and at 4 and 8 inches under sod. From November to January, the median soil temperature at depths of 4 inches was 38 degrees, which is 4.7 degrees warmer than the same time last year. There were similar increases for soil measured under sod. The highest temperatures were recorded in southern Illinois, where temperatures at 4 inches were 6.9 degrees warmer than last year. The median temperatures for northern and central Illinois were also higher.   full story

Marion County Police Beat for Saturday, February 25th, 2012

An 18-year-old Salem man is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged possession of a controlled substance. Christopher Landreth of South Pearl was arrested following a traffic stop by Sheriff's Deputies. 31-year-old Jason Harper of Memphis, Tennessee remained in jail Saturday morning after being arrested by State Police on an outstanding Effingham County warrant.

Two others remain in custody after being arrested at the courthouse Friday on petitions to revoke their probation. They are 18-year-old Richard Rollinson of East 16th in Centralia and 18-year-old Wade Evans of West McCord in Centralia. A third person arrested on a petition to revoke probation, 27-year-old Travis Thompson of East Madison in Farina, posted $750 bond and was released. 24-year-old Dirk Eblin of East William in Salem posted $100 bond after being arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies for alleged driving under the influence. 49-year-old Jesse Blackmon of Selmaville Road in Salem posted $150 bond after being arrested by sheriff's deputies for alleged driving on a suspended license.

The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a burglary at the Judith Joy home on the Walnut Hill Road in rural Centralia. Joy reported coming home early last night and discovered someone had broke into her home. She said there were no signs of forced entry. Jewelry was reported missing.

The sheriff's department is investigating a theft complaint filed by Don Winkler of North Miller Street in Salem. Winkler reported three receivers valued at $200 and a Samsung Galaxy Tablet valued at $700 had been stolen. - http://goo.gl/Myegv

Four Jonesboro Residents Injured In I-57 Wreck South Of Mt. Vernon

Four Jonesboro residents were injured in a one car wreck on Interstate 57 south of Mt. Vernon Friday night. State Police say 22-year-old Ashley Miller was northbound when she ran off the right side of the road, overcorrected, and then ran off the left side of the road.

Her vehicle came to rest after rolling over. Miller was taken to Crossroads Hospital in Mt. Vernon for treatment of major injuries. Three juveniles in the vehicle, all from Jonesboro, were taken to Crossroads Hospital for observation. State Police report no tickets were issued. Jefferson Rural Firemen were called to assist in getting victims out of the car. The wreck occurred at 9:45 Friday night. - http://goo.gl/Q3fb5

Council approves properties for demo

MT. VERNON - The city council has approved 13 properties to go out for bids to be demolished, and are urging citizens who see possibly dangerous and dilapidated properties to notify city hall.

"When you see properties in dangerous, dilapidated condition, call the city manager to report them," Councilman David Wood said. "The inspector can look at it and then it may or may not qualify."

The 13 properties on the most recent demolition list for bid and have judgment orders on file are for 221 Castleton, 2107 Cherry St., 1115 Gilbert St., 1603 College St., 2109 Cherry St., and 509 Bell St. City-owned property approved were 403 N. Seventh St., 306 N. Seventh St., 811 S. 22nd St., 1105 S. 13th St., 1109 S. 13th St., 317 Castleton and 1020 S. 20th St.

Only a portion of properties are slated for demolition each year, based on the city budget, according to City Manager Ron Neibert. Properties which have already been posted and dangerous and dilapidated status is still pending include 711 S. 19th St., 609 S. 23rd St., 300 N. 16th St., 320 and 322 N. 12th St., 324 N. 12th St., 715 S. 18th St., 318 S. 10th St., 1117 Wescott, 1112 Wescott, 710 Perkins Ave., 615 S. 19th St., 112 N. 12th St., 804 S. 23rd St., 423 S. 18th St., 608 Park Ave., 1024 S. Sixth St., 1241 Welkins Ave., 116 N. 13th St., 309 Caborn Ave., 125 S. 20th St., and 221 Castleton.

In addition to the dangerous and dilapidated properties, the city owns several lots and properties which at various times throughout the year are offered for sale or have been designated by the city to keep for various uses.

Properties owned by the city include 606 S. 12th St., 1305 S. 18th St., 1125.5 S. Ninth St., 608 Herbert St., 1220 S. Sixth St., 610 Bell St., 408 Opdyke Ave., 503 Conger Ave., 301 N. Fourth St., 505 Grand Ave., 505 Herbert St., 1124 Newby, 417 Herbert St., 509 Herbert St., 1310 S. 18th St., 1201 S. 12th St., 223 Walnut, 1818 Conger Ave., 513 S. 19th St., 900 Prairie Ave., 516 S. 21st St., 415 Perkins Ave., 600 Herbert St., 219 Casey Ave., 2401 Wescott St., 221 Casey Ave., 304 Casey Ave., 311 Jordan St., 501 Harrison St., 213 Castleton, 221 and 223 S. 10th St., a property on Royal Drive; 1505 S. 12th St., 500 S. 17th St., 312 Caborn Ave., 229 Casey Ave., 120 Opdyke Ave., 424 Harrison St., 504 S. 18th St., 1308 S. 18th St., 302 Caborn Ave., 300 Caborn Ave., 603 S. 22nd St., 2111 Cherry St., 2015 Conger Ave., 716 Herbert St., 1418 Wescott, 613 S. 22nd St., 825 S. 18th St., 1001 Welkins Ave., 711 Bell St., 1223 Welkins Ave., 1411 S. 12th St., 1020 S. 20th St., 517 S. 21st St., 1009 S. Sixth St., 419 S. 18th St., 223 Opdyke Ave., 1104 S. 22nd St., 1023 Welkins Ave., 713 S. 17th St., and 1101 and 1111 Bell St. - http://goo.gl/FZz9x